Sermon‘s story is one of the more remarkable in Turkish metal. Their origins trace back to a band called Moon, founded in İzmir in 1993, before Sermon itself took shape in 1997. Early demos and a television appearance on TRT’s Rock Market established them as a name to watch domestically, but lineup changes eventually brought things to a halt in 2004. It wasn’t until 2021 that the spark was reignited, when guitarist Cem Barut — the sole original member — rebuilt the band alongside lead guitarist Durmuş Kalın and vocalist Harun Altun.
The new lineup wasted little time. Their debut full-length Till Birth Do Us Part arrived in 2023 via Bitume Prods, followed by the standalone single Sharing These Words I Fear No Pain in 2026, with a second album already deep in production. Sermon are clearly hitting their stride. Jacob Simpson spoke with Cem about the band’s name, their history, and what’s coming next.
This interview was conducted by Jacob Simpson, a first-time contributor here at Funeral Echoes. Welcome, Jacob.
Editor’s note
— atheistpreacher
Interview: Jacob Simpson (Funeral Echoes) & Cem Barut (Sermon)
Jacob: How did you come up with the band name? Is there a story behind it?
Cem: Hi Jacob, how are you? The band name came out of a search for something that truly reflects the spirit of our music. We initially started under a different name, but as our sound evolved, we felt the need for an identity that was deeper and more encompassing. “Sermon” became the right expression for that.
While the concept of a “Sermon” is often associated with specific religions, it is actually as old as human history itself. When we chose this name, we approached it in a more universal sense rather than tying it to any particular belief system. For us, “Sermon” represents not just a form of teaching, but also the inner questioning of the individual, the confrontation with darkness, and the search for meaning.
This perspective is also reflected in our music. Rather than dictating a message directly, we aim to create a space that encourages the listener to think and resonate on a deeper level. In that sense, “Sermon” naturally embodies both our identity and the essence of what we express through our music.
Jacob: Do you have any stories of touring, and do you enjoy touring and playing live shows?
Cem: We haven’t had the chance to go on a full tour yet, but we perform in our country whenever the opportunity arises. Touring is definitely something we would like to do. Live performances are very important to us, as they help us gain stage experience and build a connection with our audience.
One of our most memorable moments was recently sharing the stage with the Italian band Novembre. It was the first time we performed with a band from outside our country, and it was a truly special experience for us.
Jacob: Do you have any more upcoming shows?
Cem: We don’t have any confirmed shows in the near future at the moment. However, opportunities can come up unexpectedly from time to time. Whenever we have something scheduled, we make sure to announce it through our social media channels.
Jacob: How do you balance your time in the studio with other commitments such as work and family?
Cem: All of us have our own daily lives outside the band and are actively involved in different fields alongside our music. While balancing these responsibilities can sometimes be challenging, music has always remained our main priority.
Despite our individual schedules, we make a conscious effort to come together and create the necessary time for the band. In a way, everything we experience outside of music also contributes to our creative process, helping us shape our sound with a broader and more personal perspective.
Jacob: I would like to ask about the new single — Sharing These Words I Feel No Pain — what’s the inspiration, and is it a continuation from the album Till Birth Do Us Part, or is it different? What are the key influences, and is it based on a theme or concept?
Cem: Till Birth Do Us Part was largely built around natural disasters, astronomical and cosmic events that set the stage for the end of the planet. The new single also points toward an endtime, but it approaches it from a different perspective. This time, the focus is more on omens and signs — the subtle indications of an inevitable end, interpreted through an eschatological lens.
In that sense, it is not a direct continuation of the album, but it exists within a similar conceptual space. We’re still dealing with the idea of the end, but exploring it from another angle, both thematically and emotionally.
In terms of influences, our foundation still comes from the essence of 90s doom/death metal, but we don’t limit ourselves to a single framework. Our music is shaped not only by what we listen to, but also by internal states, personal experiences, and different forms of art. Books, films, and the things happening around us — both on a personal and a larger, cosmic scale — all play a role in how these ideas take form.
Rather than following a strict concept, we approach each piece as an expression of a certain state of mind. The single is built around a theme, but more importantly, it reflects a feeling — an awareness of an approaching end, and the quiet tension that comes with it.
Jacob: How did you get into heavy metal, and then into the extreme metal genre?
Cem: Our introduction to metal music goes back to a time when we were listening to a wide range of genres. Throughout the late 80s and 90s, we were already exposed to different styles, but over time, the energy and atmosphere of heavy metal drew us in and became a central part of our musical identity.
We initially connected with classic heavy metal and thrash metal, which gave us a strong foundation. As time went on, we found ourselves searching for a more intense, darker, and deeper form of expression. That naturally led us toward more extreme genres such as death, black, and doom metal.
Looking back, this transition feels very organic for us. We still maintain a connection with the music we grew up listening to, but extreme metal is where we find the most honest and complete form of expression. It allows us to fully explore both emotional depth and atmosphere in a way that resonates with who we are.
Jacob: Is there anything else you would like to share about the upcoming album? Have you recorded other tracks besides the single release?
Cem: Yes, we are currently working on a full-length album that we’ve been developing for quite some time. The instrumental recordings are already completed, and we will be starting the vocal recordings soon.The single we recently released is not part of the upcoming album; it was intended as a standalone piece. However, it still reflects certain aspects of our current direction.
We believe the album will meet expectations, both in terms of atmosphere and depth, and it represents a natural progression of our sound.
Jacob: Regarding the upcoming release — will the vocals be in the same approach as the first album, Till Death Do Us Part, or a different approach?
Cem: The vocals are mainly of the same stripe. Mostly brutal but comprehensible. There will be narrations and some clean vocals as well, referring to a standard gothic metal vibe.
Jacob: When recording, do you play live or record stems? Are you and the other band members all in the same place when recording? And do you have a set date in mind for the release of the new album?
Cem: We usually record our songs separately rather than playing them live in the studio. The main reason for this is both to achieve a more controlled sound technically and due to practical limitations — not everyone is always available at the same time. So we spread the recording process out and move forward step by step.
As a band, most of us are based in the same city, but our vocalist lives in a different one. For that reason, once we complete the instrumental recordings, we send all the tracks to him and he records his vocals in his own studio. It might seem like a fragmented process from the outside, but it actually allows us to focus more on details and shape the atmosphere in a more deliberate way.
For our first album, we had a more minimal lineup; we didn’t have a drummer or a bass player. Our lead guitarist (Durmuş) handled the bass recordings, and the drums were programmed by him as well. We went through a similar situation during the recording of the second album. Even though these challenges occasionally slowed things down, they never affected our motivation — in fact, they pushed us to refine our own way of working.
As for the new album, we’ve already completed all the instrumental recordings. Right now, our focus is on the vocal recordings, and we’ll be starting that process very soon. It’s still too early to give an exact release date, but if everything goes according to plan, we don’t intend to keep this album waiting for too long.
Jacob: About the upcoming album — are you producing, mixing and mastering yourselves? Do you record in a studio?
Cem: We handle the production, mixing, and mastering of the album entirely within the band. Our lead guitarist has taken on this responsibility; he’s constantly improving himself in this field, and we’re quite satisfied with the results so far. This approach also allows us to maintain full control over our sound.
Of course, working with larger production teams and taking things to a different level is something every band considers. However, under our current circumstances, moving forward with our own methods feels both more realistic and more sincere for us.
We record most of the material in our lead guitarist’s home studio. As for the vocals, since our vocalist lives in a different city, he records his parts in a studio where he is based.
Jacob: Thank you for answering my questions and thank you for doing the interview.
Cem: Welcome Jacob! Nice to meet you and thank you so much for the interview. Your questions were really great. I hope you enjoyed our album and the single we released.
Jacob: Thank you, yeah I did enjoy your album and the new single sounds great.
